March 30, 2002

Brooke Astor, grande dame of American philanthropy and patron saint of New York society, celebrates her 100th birthday; party plans and partial guest list noted; profile; photo (M)

Connecticut University defeats Tennessee University, 79-56, in NCAA women's tournament semifinal, to advance to final against Oklahoma University; photos (M)

News analysis; contradictory images of Prime Min Ariel Sharon has emerged in escalating violence between Israel and Palestinians; he seems more deeply more divided than ever, vacillating between crushing military action that offers little or no prospect of lasting victory or meaningful peace, and diplomatic engagement with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, man he deeply distrusts; photos (M)

Bush administration expresses sympathy with Israel's decision to respond militarily after series of terrorist attacks and blames bombings by Palestinian militants for escalating violence in Middle East; demands that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat take steps to halt attacks; Sec of State Colin Powell says 'terrorism in its rawest form' halted recent efforts to rebuild peace process; says Israeli forces will remain around Arafat's Ramallah compound for extended period; makes clear that US will not abandon insistence that Arafat take steps to stop terrorist bombings and implement cease-fire before political negotiations begin on establishing Palestinian state (M)

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column discusses upcoming NCAA Tournament championship game where Sherri Coale will coach Oklahoma University and face her longtime mentor Geno Auriemma and his Connecticut University team; photo (M)

Clyde Haberman NYC column fears Mayor Michael Bloomberg's propensity for open cubicles in city government space will spread to Tweed Courthouse if he gains control of Board of Education; says architectural gem should be open to public, particularly after $178 million renovation (M)

Settlement talks between Enron shareholders and company's auditors, Arthur Andersen, break down as Andersen struggles to find new leadership and apparently faces growing cash squeeze; Paul A Volcker again says he will not take over management of Andersen unless government withdraws indictment, news conference; firm introduces C E Andrews and Lawrence A Rieger as partners responsible for leading firm through transition outlined by Volcker; they reaffirm commitment to focus on providing audit services while shedding consulting and much of other operations; no one seems to have clear authority to negotiate for firm in its mounting legal problems; Andersen's settlement in separate case involving Baptist Foundation of Arizona appears to collapse after Professional Services Insurance Co, offshore insurer partly owned by Andersen, says it cannot pay $217 million; Andersen faces fraud trial in case week before scheduled start of its obstruction of justice trial in Enron case if settlement issue is not resolved; photo (M)

Israeli ground forces storm Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat's compound in West Bank city of Ramallah; smash through walls in room-to-room fighting as Bush administration's campaign for truce staggers beneath wave of anger and violence; Arafat remains holed up with aides in second-floor office, declaring he wishes for martyr's death; Palestinian officials accuse Israel of trying to kill him; US Sec of State Colin L Powell says Israel has assured US it will not deliberately harm Arafat; says American envoy, Gen Anthony Zinni, will press efforts for truce; Israeli Prime Min Ariel Sharon declares Arafat an enemy and says he will be isolated; five Palestinians and Israeli Army officer dies in fighting in Ramallah; 18-year-old Palestinian woman blows self up in Jerusalem supermarket, killing two others and bringing to 30 number of Israelis killed in suicide bombings in past three days; photos; maps (M)

New York state insurance regulators approve 19.5 percent rise in auto insurance premiums for people with worst driving records; insurance executives say increase is too small; they had requested nearly 80 percent, citing soaring losses stemming from fraudulent claims; increase will apply to about 350,000 drivers; New York could overtake New Jersey as state with most expensive insurance and companies are threatening to leave state if they do not get approval for further increases (M)

Argentines Feel Misled By Foreign Banks in Crisis With Argentina mired in the worst economic crisis in its history, feelings are running strong against United States banks and other foreign banks that aggressively expanded in the 1990's. Many residents said they had deposited money into the foreign banks, believing it would be safe from Argentina's economic unrest. Now those depositors -- saying they have been deceived, cheated and lied to -- are threatening legal action. Their accounts have been converted into pesos and have lost more than two-thirds of their value. For their part, bankers say they have been hamstrung by government regulations. [Page C3.]

Mayor Michael R Bloomberg has in many ways profoundly altered tenor, if not substance, of city government managing to escape shadow of his predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani; is roundly praised by budget watchdogs, union leaders, civil rights activists, former mayors and others for fostering inclusive atmosphere at City Hall, in which all are welcome to share opinions on policy; after eight years of Giuliani, who micromanaged city with ideologically charged vision of how to transform public policy, Bloomberg has altered role key subordinates play in government; many create and promote their own programs and all feel free to voice their ideas; photos (M)

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants president Barry C Melancon says he will give to charitable foundation stock in group's commercial subsidiary, CPA2Biz, he bought for about $100,000 that is now worth over $5 million, interview; abrupt decision follows months of controversy; comes as he leads drive to restore sagging image of accountants and defeat tough new conflict-of-interest proposals; photo (M)